t> 


IMAGE  EVALUATION 
TEST  TARGET  (MT-3) 


.^^. 


.,„  ^   /*^  #^^ 


1.0    ^'ss  11 


I.I 


1.25 


2.5 


■"      ■'4A 
■^       140 


2.2 
2.0 


U    lllll  1.6 


Photographic 

Sciences 

Corporation 


V 


-ii^ 


23  WEST  MAIN  STREET 

WEBSTER,  N.Y.  HS80 

(716)  872-4503 


V 


£f 


CIHM/ICMH 

Microfiche 

Series. 


CIHM/iCIVIH 
Collection  de 
microfiches. 


Canadian  Institute  for  Historical  Microreproductions  /  Institut  Canadian  de  microreproductions  historiq 


ues 


Technical  and  Bibliographic  Notes/Notes  techniques  et  bibliographiques 


The  Institute  has  attempted  to  obtain  the  best 
original  copy  available  for  filming.  Features  of  this 
copy  which  may  be  bibliographically  unique, 
which  may  alter  any  of  the  images  in  the 
reproduction,  or  which  may  significantly  change 
the  usual  method  of  filming,  are  checked  below. 


0    Coloured  covers/ 
Couverture  de  couleur 


I      I    Covers  damaged/ 


D 


D 


D 
D 


D 


D 


Couverture  endommagie 


Covers  restored  and/or  laminated/ 
Couverture  restaurie  et/ou  pelliculAe 


I      I    Cover  title  missing/ 


Le  titre  de  couverture  manque 


□    Coloured  maps/ 
Cartes  giographiques  en  couleur 


Coloured  ink  (i.e.  other  than  blue  or  black)/ 
Encre  de  couleur  (i.e.  autre  que  bleue  ou  noire) 


□    Coloured  plates  and/or  illustrations/ 
Planches  et/ou  illustrations  en  couleur 


Bound  with  other  material/ 
Relii  avec  d'autres  documents 

Tight  binding  may  cause  shadows  or  distortion 
along  interior  margin/ 

La  re  iiure  serrie  peut  causer  de  I'ombre  ou  de  la 
distorsion  le  long  de  la  marge  int6rieure 

Blank  leaves  added  during  restoration  may 
appear  within  the  text.  Whenever  possible,  these 
have  been  omitted  from  filming/ 
II  se  peut  que  certairos  pages  blanches  ajouties 
lors  d'une  restauration  apparaissent  dans  le  texte, 
mais,  lorsque  cela  dtait  possible,  ces  pages  n'ont 
pas  6x6  filmies. 

Additional  comments:/ 
Commentaires  supplAmentaires: 


L'Institut  a  microfilm^  le  meilleur  exemplaire 
qu'il  lui  a  6t6  possible  de  se  procurer.  Les  details 
de  cet  exemplaire  qui  sont  peut-4tre  uniques  du 
point  de  vue  bibliographique,  qui  peuvent  modifier 
une  image  reproduite,  ou  qui  peuvent  exiger  une 
modification  dans  la  m6thor^e  normale  de  filmage 
sont  indiquis  ci-dessous. 


I      I   Coloured  pages/ 


D 

n 


Pages  de  couleur 

Pages  damaged/ 
Pages  endommagies 


n    Pages  restored  and/or  laminated/ 
Pages  rastaur^es  et/ou  pelliculdes 


Pages  discoloured,  stained  or  foxed/ 
Pages  d^colories,  tacheties  ou  piqudes 


I      I    Pages  detached/ 


Pages  ddtachdes 

Showthroughy 
Transparence 

Quality  of  orir 

Qualiti  in^gale  de  I'impression 

Includes  supplementary  materii 
Comprend  du  materiel  suppl^mentaire 


r~|    Showthrough/ 

I      I    Quality  of  orint  varies/ 

|~n    Includes  supplementary  material/ 


Only  edition  available/ 
Seule  Edition  disponible 

Pages  wholly  or  partially  obscured  by  errata 
slips,  tissues,  etc.,  have  been  ref limed  to 
ensure  the  best  possible  image/ 
Les  pages  totalement  ou  partiellement 
obscurcies  par  un  feuillet  d'errata,  une  pelure, 
etc.,  ont  6ti  filmies  6  nouveau  de  fapon  6 
obtenir  la  meilleure  image  possible. 


This  item  'is  filmed  at  the  reduction  ratio  checked  below/ 

Ce  document  est  filmi  au  taux  de  reduction  indiquA  ci-dessous. 

10X  14X  18X  22X 


26X 


30X 


"rVHi^H  HI^HH  I^I^HH  ^^^^H  ■■■^B 

y 


12X 


16X 


20X 


24X 


28X 


32X 


er 
be 


v»^ 


Th«  copy  filmed  h«ri»  has  b—n  reproduced  thanke 
to  the  generosity  of: 

IMedical  Library 
IVIcGill  University 
■Montreal 

The  images  appearing  here  are  the  best  quality 
possible  considering  the  condition  and  legibility 
of  the  original  copy  and  in  Iceeping  with  the 
filming  contract  specifications. 


Original  copies  in  printed  paper  covers  are  filmed 
beginning  with  the  front  co^er  and  ending  on 
the  last  page  with  a  printed  or  illustrated  impres- 
sion, or  the  back  cover  when  appropriate.  All 
other  original  c jpies  are  filmed  beginning  on  the 
first  page  with  a  printed  or  illustreted  impres- 
sion, and  ending  on  the  last  page  with  a  printed 
or  illustrated  impression. 


The  last  recorded  frame  on  each  microfiche 
shall  contain  the  symbol  ^^^  (meaning  "CON- 
TINUED"), or  the  symbol  V  (meaning  "Ef^D"), 
whichever  applies. 


L'^xemplaire  film*  fut  reproduit  grice  h  la 
g6n4rositA  de: 

IMedical  Library 
McGill  University 
IVIontreal 

Lee  imagee  suivantes  ont  iti  reproduitee  avec  le 
plus  grand  soin,  compte  t«)nu  de  la  condition  at 
de  la  nettet*  de  rexemplaire  filmA,  et  en 
conformity  avec  les  conditions  du  contrat  de 
filmage. 

Les  exemplaires  originaux  dont  la  couverture  en 
papier  est  ImprimAe  sont  fiimAs  en  commen^ant 
par  le  premier  plat  et  en  terminant  soit  par  la 
dernlAre  page  qui  comporte  une  smpreinte 
d'Impreesion  ou  d'iilustration,  soit  par  le  second 
plat,  salon  le  cas.  Tous  les  autres  exempleires 
originaux  sont  filmte  en  commen9ant  par  la 
premiere  page  qui  comporte  une  empreinte 
d'Impieesion  ou  d'illustration  et  en  terminant  par 
la  dernlAre  page  qui  comporte  une  telle 
empreinte. 

Un  dee  symboles  suivam  >  apparattra  sur  la 
dernlAre  image  de  cheque  microfiche,  selon  le 
cas:  le  symbols  — ^  signifie  "A  SUiVRE",  le 
symbols  Y  signifie  "FIN". 


IMops,  plates,  charts,  etc.,  may  be  filmed  at 
different  reduction  ratios.  Those  too  large  to  be 
entirely  included  in  one  exposure  are  filmed 
beginning  in  the  upper  left  hand  corner,  left  to 
right  and  top  to  bottom,  as  many  frames  as 
required.  The  following  diagrams  illustrate  the 
method: 


Les  cartes,  plenches,  tableaux,  etc.,  peuvent  Atre 
filmie  A  dee  taux  de  rMuction  diffArents. 
Lorsque  le  document  est  trop  grand  pour  Atre 
reproduit  en  un  seul  cliche,  11  est  filmA  A  partir 
de  I'angle  supArieur  gauche,  de  gauche  k  droite, 
et  de  haut  en  baa,  en  prenant  le  nombre 
d'images  nteessaire.  Les  diagrammes  suivants 
illustrent  la  mithode. 


ta 


ure, 


] 


X 


1 

2 

3 

1 

2 

3 

4 

S 

6 

flwjyl ' 


NV 


!)',*n 


On  the  DeirelopiMttt  of  Bbysio- 

BSAoe  tot 
cine. 


»Y 


i>www»wi«  or  ajjgg^ISi 


Wf 


Reprinted  from  the  New  York  Medical  Journal 
for  Aug.  16  and  23,  I884. 


ON  TUfi  DEVELOPMENT   OF 

PHYSIOLOGICAL    CHEMISTEY 

AND  ITS  SIGNIFICANCE  FOR  MEDICINE: 

AN  ADDRESS  DELIVERED  AT   THE   CELEBRATION   OF    THE 
OPENING   OF   THE  NEW  INSTITUTE  FOR  PHYSIO- 
LOGICAL   CHEMISTRY  OF    THE  IMPERIAL 
UNIVERSITY  OF  STRASSBURG, 
FEBRUARY  18,  1884.* 

By  Pbofessoe  FELIX  IIOPPE-SEYLER. 
Translated  by  T.  WESLEY  MILLS,  M.  A.,  M.  D., 

DEMONSTRATOR  OF  PHYSIOLOGY,  MC  GILL  UNIVERSITY,  MONTREAL,  CANADA. 

The  mere  opening  of  another  large  and  elegant  struc- 
ture in  connection  with  Strassburg  University  can  in  itself 
have  no  great  interest,  as  of  these  there  are  already  so 
many.  This  is,  however,  the  first  building  erected  by  a 
German  university  for  the  investigation  and  teaching  of  the 
ecience  of  physiological  chemistry.     Allow   me,  then,  to 

*  Any  views  of  Professor  He  ppe-Seyler's  on  the  relations  of  physio- 
logical chemistry  must  attract  attention  in  every  quarter  of  the  world. 
This  translation  has  been  undertaken  in  the  hope  of  bringing  the  mat- 
:er  of  his  recent  address  within  reach  of  a  larger  number.  While  the 
first  few  pages  have  been  rendered  freely  and  somewhat  condensed,  a 
closely  literal  translation  has  been  given  of  the  remaining  ones,  owing 
to  the  importance,  originality,  and  extreme  interest,  alike  to  biologists, 
chemists,  and  physicians,  of  the  opinions  they  contain.  The  admira- 
tion and  gratitude  of  the  pupil  have  rendered  the  task  pleasant. — 
The  Translator. 


■ 


'> 


(►N   TlIK    l)KVE!X)l'.VIKNT   OF 


give  tlie  objects  for  wliicli  this  l)iiil(liiig  has  l)een  erected, 
afterward  a  short  sketch  of  the  liistory  of  i)hysiohjo"ieal 
chemistry,  and  finally  to  indicate  what  the  plan  and  arranj>-e- 
nients  of  the  structure  itself  are.  For  hundreds  of  years 
liave  able  physicians  zealously  interested  themselves  with 
the  chemical  investio'ation  of  the  composition  of  the  organs 
of  the  luinian  body  and  its  life-processes,  the  knowledge  of 
wliich  seemed  of  great  value  in  determining  the  causes, 
course,  and  treatment  of  disease.  J'revious  to  the  discov- 
ery of  oxygen  by  Priestley  and  Scheele,  and  to  the  time 
when  the  penetrating  Lavoisier,  with  experiments  of  pre- 
viously unknown  accuracy,  gave  clicmistry  a  surer  founda- 
tion, very  little  came  out  of  this  investigation.  Especially 
such  discoveries  as  that  of  the  composition  of  water,  of 
carbon  dioxide,  and  of  other  important  compounds  of  a 
simple  kind,  are  to  be  noted  in  this  connection.  It  would 
be  wholly  wrong  to  suppose  that  the  brilliant  discoveries  of 
the  last  quarter  of  the  eighteenth  century  were  the  results 
of  this  period  ah>ne ;  in  fact,  the  way  had  been  already  pre- 
pared, and  other  important  discoveries  made.  Among  oth- 
ers, the  numerous  and  valuable  discoveries  of  Scheele,  the 
accurate  measurings  and  weighings  of  Lavoisier,  and  his 
proposed  antiphlogistic  theory,  gave  alike  an  invaluable 
foundation  for  the  science  of  chemistry,  and  also  a  point  of 
observation  for  its  organization. 

Already  these  beginnings  of  sci entitle  chemistry  had 
shown  themselves  fruitful  for  physiology.  The  investiga- 
tions of  Scheele,  Lavoisier,  and  Van  Ingen-llousz  on  the 
respiration  of  animals,  sprouting  seeds,  green  plants,  etc., 
gave  physiology  a  deep  insight  into  the  chemical  relations 
of  organisms  to  the  surrounding  atmosphere.  Scientitic 
chemistry  and  physiological  chemistry  have  here  alike  a 
common  origin.  But,  though  by  Scheele  and  many  others, 
especially  French  chemists,  many  important  substances  of 


I'lIYSIOLOGICAL   CHEMISTRY.  3 

the  animal  and  plant  world  wore  brono-ht  to  liii'lit,  yet  or- 
ganic chemistry,  and  with  it  physiology,  remained  far  in  the 
rear  of  the  advancing  knowledge  of  inorganic  snbstances. 
The  limitation  of  the  attention  to  the  inorganic  part  of 
chemistry  was  authorized,  inasmuch  as  it  was  to  furnish  that 
knowledge  which  for  all  time  would  remain  a  certain  basis. 

Tn  the  second  decade  of  our  centurv  chemistry  aijain 
began  to  grow  and  to  be  the  food  of  physiology.  Organic 
chemistry  remained  as  vet  almost  identical  with  animal  and 
plant  chemistry.  The  labors  of  Chevceul  on  the  fats,  of 
Prout,  Tiedemann,  and  Gmelin  on  digestion,  of  Prevost 
and  Dumas  on  the  composition  of  the  blood  and  the  forma- 
tion of  urea,  which  belong  to  this  ])eriod,  wonderfully  en- 
riched our  knowledge  of  life-processes.  In  1828  Wiihler 
accomplished  the  synthetic  formation  of  urea  from  cyanic 
acid,  previously  discovered  by  him,  and  ammonia.  For  the 
first  time,  here  was  a  si(hstance,  ivhich  had  been  previously 
known  only  as  a  normal  j^roduct  of  the  processes  of  life, 
formed  out  of  its  inorganic  elements. 

Soon  after,  Berzelius  and  Liebig  greatly  increas.'d  the 
existinor  knowled<''e  of  oro-anic  substances.  A  theoretical 
war  of  thirty  years'  duration  sprang  up,  but  it  proved  fruit- 
ful in  investigation,  especially  of  the  organic  realm.  ()r- 
ganic  synthesis,  together  with  the  explanation  of  theoretical 
points  ;  the  rearrangement  of  groups  on  physical  and  chemi- 
cal grounds;  the  mechanical  theory  of  gases  and  vapors, 
which  first  gave  a  foundation  for  the  estimation  of  the  rela- 
tive weiii'ht  of  molecules  and  the  number  of  tlie  atoms  con- 
tainod  therein  ;  the  relation  of  atoms  in  molecules  ;  and  the 
theory  of  organic  cliemistry  in  its  essentials,  founded  on  the 
atfinities  of  the  carbon  atoms — offering  many  points  diffi- 
cult of  solution  and  still  controverted — all  was  the  fruit  of 
this  period. 

It  would  be  difficult  to  enumerate  all  the  chemists  to 


ON   THE  DEVELOrMENT  OF 


whom  this  profj^ress  was  due,  but  the  names  of  Laurent 
and  Kekule  are  the  foremost.  It  could  justly  be  said,  as 
Lothar  Meyer  said  in  1864,  that  already  for  a  long  period 
the  controversy  over  the  systematic  arrangement  of  chemis- 
try had  ended.  In  consequence  of  this  controversy,  how- 
ever, physiological  chemistry  had  in  general  been  over- 
looked, though  Liebig  was  not  one  of  those  who  neglected 
it.  From  1830  till  old  age,  though  engaged  in  almost 
every  controversy  of  the  time,  he  labored  to  advance  it.  lie 
had  himself  worked  out  excellent  methods  of  determina- 
tion, and  had  made  investigations  into  the  constitution  of 
flesh ;  and  his  keen  insight  gave  to  his  pupils  correct  meth- 
ods of  research  for  the  accomplishment  of  decided  results. 
The  pregnant  ideas  of  his  writings  prompted  numerous  valu- 
able researches.  His  investigations  of  the  relation  of  food  to 
life-processes  and  to  muscle-work  are  especially  noteworthy. 
They  have  directly  or  indirectly  led  to  researches  of  wide 
application  to  agriculture,  medicine,  and  hygiene,  and  espe- 
cially in  the  last  ten  years.  Though  the  hypothesis  relating 
to  the  formation  of  fat  within  the  organs  from  albuminous 
matters  has  proved  erroneous,  the  results  of  the  work  of  this 
period  in  their  practical  worth  remain  uncontroverted. 

Important  advances  were  made  in  other  directions.  Fer- 
ments acting  on  diastase  and  starch  were  discovered  in  the 
saliva,  and  afterward  in  the  pancreatic  secretion.  Schwarm 
extracted  pepsin  from  the  mucous  membrane  of  the  dead 
stomach  with  dilute  hydrochloric  acid ;  and  the  action  of 
this  artificial  digestive  fluid  on  albumin  was  ascertained. 
C.  Bernard  subsequently  discovered  the  emulsifying  action 
of  the  pancreatic  juice  on  fat,  and  the  remarkable  formation 
and  changes  of  carbohydrates  in  the  animal  body,  especially 
in  the  live;,  as  dependent  on  the  method  of  feeding ;  and 
various  other  influences  were  recognized.  The  composition 
and  conditions  of  secretion  of  the  various  digestive  fluids 


PHYSIOLOGICAL   CHEMISTRY. 


in  their  main  outlines  were  ascertained.  With  new  and  ex- 
cellent methods  and  apparatus,  rnd  by  very  numerous  and 
varied  researches,  was  the  interchange  of  gases  in  the  respi- 
ration of  animals  of  different  classes,  under  varying  condi- 
tions of  nutrition  and  many  other  circumstances,  investi- 
gated by  Regnault  and  Reiset. 

New  substances  were  found  in  the  organs  of  men  and 
animals  in  health  and  disease.  With  the  noted  researches 
of  Liebig  on  flesh  may  be  ranked  the  labors  of  Strecker  on 
the  biliary  acids  ;  of  Strecker  and  Scherer  on  xanthin,  hypo- 
xanthin,  and  guanin  ;  of  Frerichs  and  Stiideler  on  leucin, 
tyrosin,  etc. 

The  investigation  or  the  composition  of  the  blood  in 
health  and  disease  was  at  this  period  the  subject  of  numer- 
ous researches  in  Germatiy  and  France.  C.  Schmidt's  re- 
search "On  the  Characteristics  of  Epidemic  Cholera"  de- 
serves special  mention.  Nor  have  these  researches  remained 
without  fruit,  though  the  over-zealous  opposition  of  the 
Prague-Vienna  school  against  bloodletting  had  an  injurious 
influence,  which  has  not  yet  been  wholly  removed. 

Of  enci'mous  value  for  physiology  was  the  discovery  of 
Magnus  that  from  the  blood,  when  subjected  to  a  good 
vacuum,  together  with  carbon  dioxide  and  a  little  nitrogen, 
oxygen  also  was  given  off,  and,  in  fact,  more  from  arterial 
than  from  venous  blood.  Few  then  anticipated,  with  Jo- 
hannes Miiller,  the  enormous  consequences  of  Magnus's 
discovery,  and,  in  fact,  able  chemists  were  at  once  ready  to 
controvert  it. 

The  researches  of  Schonbein  on  the  peculiarities  of 
oxygen  in  different  conditions ;  the  formation  of  ozone,  hy- 
drogen superoxide,  etc.,  did  not  receive  generally  the  atten- 
tion they  deserved.     Liebig  fully  understood  their  value. 

To  the  casual  observer,  looking  from  a  distance,  nothing 
very  striking  in  the  development  of  physiological  chemistry 


6 


ON   THE  DEVELOPiMENT   OF 


may  seem  to  ha\  ^  occurred  in  the  last  twenty  or  twenty-five 
years.  It  has,  however,  been  i.i  good  fortune.  Tlie  general 
advance  of  chemistry,  especially  since  1850,  and  in  particu- 
lar the  improved  methods  of  gas  analysis  due  to  Bunsen — 
the  improvement  in  apparatus,  spectrum  analysis,  etc. — have 
all  contributed  to  the  advance  of  physiological  chemistry. 

The  publication  in  the  second  half  of  the  fifth  decade 
of  this  century  of  Virchow's  "  Cellular  Pathology,"  to- 
gether with  the  researches  of  Max  Schultze  on  the  structure 
of  animal  cells,  which  soon  followed,  though  of  no  direct 
hearing  on  physiological  chemistry,  yet  afforded  new  points 
of  view.  The  researches  of  Pasteur  and  his  pupils  and  op- 
ponents, from  the  beginninjj  of  the  sixth  decade  onward, 
have  had  a  notable  influence  on  physiological  chemistry. 

These  researches,  though  as  yet  abounding  in  obscuri- 
ties and  uncertainties,  have  still  given  results  of  the  highest 
value  for  the  technique  and  for  medicine. 

The  treatment  of  wounds  to  the  exclusion  of  infection,  the 
relation  of  sepsis  to  operative  surgery,  and  the  discovery  of 
micro-organisms  of  definite  character  in  the  blood  in  certain 
diseases,  are  of  a  value  well  recognized.  There  is  no  limited 
region  of  natural  science  which  at  the  present  time  attracts 
zealous  investigators  in  so  great  numbers  as  the  microscopic 
determination  of  the  conditions  of  life  and  propagation  of 
these  micro-organisms.  Botanists,  chemists,  physiologists, 
normal  and  pathological  anatomists,  surgeons,  pathologists, 
and  hygienists  contend  in  the  race  in  this  realm  of  investiga- 
tion. 

Difficult  is  it  to  separate  the  chaff  from  the  wheat. 
Owing  to  the  extreme  minuteness  of  these  organisms,  their 
anatomical  investigation  and  certain  separation  are  very  diffi- 
cult. But  the  difficulty  is  greatly  increased,  owing  to  the 
power  many  of  them  possess,  according  to  the  conditions 
under  which  they  are  found,  of  developing  into  entirely 


r 


'9 


PHYSIOLOGICAL  CHEMISTUY.  7 

different  forms,  and  at  the  same  time  oocasioninjjj  entirely 
different  clieniical  processes,  accordinfj  as  the  elieniical  and 
physical  conditions  siirroundinij  thein  vary. 

Physiological  chemistry  partakes  of  a  far  p:rcater  share 
of  difficulty  than  the  microscopic  investigation,  which,  npart 
from  the  method,  now  much  used,  of  impregnation  with 
coloring  matters  (which  also  leads  to  manifold  deception), 
without  simultaneous  chemical  investigation  with  sutti- 
cieut  certainty,  can  not  make  great  advances.  This  investi- 
gation, as  I  shall  soon  liave  occasion  to  illustrate,  brings 
greiit  gain  to  physiology  itself. 

I  must  abstain  from  giving  you  a  complete  outline  of 
the  advances  physiological  chemistry  has  made  with  refer- 
ence to  the  composition  of  the  organs  and  iiuids  of  the 
human  body,  and  the  processes  taking  place  in  them,  ef- 
fected in  ^he  last  two  decades.  Allow  me  to  sketch  the 
manner  in  which,  in  the  most  recent  period,  the  science  has 
advanced. 

With  great  '  -encc,  and  not  without  success,  the  pro- 
cesses of  the  digestion  of  all  the  most  important  constituents 
of  fo-^id  in  the  alimentary  canal,  with  the  sole  exception  of 
the  part  played  by  the  bile  (which,  indeed,  does  not  seem 
essential,  and  which  is  wanting  in  invertebrates),  have  been 
studied,  and  it  has  been  ascertained  that  these  processes  in  all 
their  phases  may  be  carried  on  outside  the  organism,  and  the 
products  of  their  action  isolated  and  investigated.  Medicine 
and  hygiene  in  this  case,  as  well  as  physiology,  have  become 
possessed  of  treasures  of  knowledge  the  practical  value  of 
v'hich  already  abundantly  appears,  but /ar  short  0/  the  extent 
to  which  it  must  appear  in  the  diagnosis  and  treatment  of  dis- 
eases of  the  alimentary  tract  especially. 

Our  kiiowledge  of  the  composition  of  the  blood  and  its 
changes  under  the  influence  of  certain  physiological  pro- 
cesses has  been  essentially  advanced  in  the  line  referred  to  • 


8 


ON  THE   DEVELOPMENT  OF 


and  the  chemical  functions  of  the  red  corpuscles  in  respira- 
tion, especially  the  influence  of  the  coloring  matter  in  refei- 
ence  to  the  absorption  of  oxygen  from  the  air  in  the  lungs, 
its  transportation  to  the  cells  of  the  organs,  and  their  proxi- 
mate causes,  are  so  well  known  that,  in  a  given  case,  it  is 
merely  a  question  of  reckoning  to  determine  the  total  quan- 
tity of  oxygen  appropriated  in  a  given  period  by  definite 
extents  of  surface,  etc. 

With  reference  to  the  life-processes  within  organs,  such 
as  muscles  and  glands,  the  passage  of  the  free,  indifferent 
oxygen  of  the  air  into  these  organs  has  been  demonstrated 
with  certainty.  The  chemical  structure  of  numerous  sub- 
stances already  known  which  arise  in  the  organism  has  been 
determined,  and  their  formation  by  synthesis  accomplished ; 
others  have  been  discovered  and  to  some  extent  artificially 
formed,  and  many  general  laws  in  regard  to  their  formation 
and  behavior  with  reference  to  the  peculiarities  of  their 
chemical  structure  discovered,  and,  above  all,  the  interesting 
formation  and  processes  of  change  of  the  aromatic  bodies  in 
their  characteristic  combinations  with  sulphuric  acid,  gly- 
cocoll,  glycuronic  acid,  and  cystin. 

By  the  last-mentioned  investigation  have  the  methods 
and  results  of  the  new  theoretical  chemistry  become  of 
great  value  for  physiology,  while  interesting  new  material 
for  chemistry  has  appeared. 

Even  with  more  and  more  clearness  during  the  course 
of  these  investigations  has  the  fact  become  recognized  that 
the  substances  which  iorm  the  organs,  out  of  which  they 
build  themselves  up  and  are  regenerated,  belong  to  a  class 
which  may  be  included  under  the  term  onhydrides,  and 
which  have  the  common  property  that,  under  treatment 
with  alkalies  and  acids,  many  of  them  also,  through  fer- 
ments, can  be  changed  or  split  up  with  the  addition  of  the 
elements  of  water,  thereby,  as  it  is  said,  becoming  hydrates. 


PHYSIOLOGICAL  CHEMISTRY.  9 

These  anhydrides  show  mostly  in  striking  chemical  af- 
finities, swell  in  water  or  dissolve  generally  with  difficulty  in 
it ;  they  withstand  the  action  of  the  atmospheric  oxygen,  and, 
so  far  as  it  can  yet  be  made  out,  have  very  large  molecules. 
^iv»  Animals  and  plants  are,  as  regards  these  substances  in 

general,  not  different,  though  certain  substances,  as  albu- 
minous matters,  fats,  and  inosit,  appear  in  both  ;  others,  as 
cellulose,  starch,  cane-sugar,  tannic  acid,  and  malic  acid, 
only  in  plants ;  others,  again,  as  glycogen,  less  in  plants  than 
in  animals ;  finally,  certain  substances,  as  gelatin,  urea,  and 
creatin,  are  formed  only  in  animals. 

The  line  of  demarkation  which  it  was  once  thought 
could  be  drawn  in  regard  to  chemical  *  structure  and  life- 
processes  between  pV.nts  and  animals  has  been,  in  conse- 
quence of  recent  investigations,  more  and  more  obliterated. 

The  discovery  of  inosit,  glycogen,  and  allantoin  in 
plants;  the  establishment  of  closer  relations  between  the 
caffeine  and  theobromine  of  plants  and  the  jranthin  and 
guanin  of  animals,  especially  the  presence,  without  excep- 
tion, of  globulin  substance,  lecithin,  cholesterin,  nuclein,  and 
potassium  in  all  cells  formed  under  normal  or  pathological 
conditions  so  far  as  yet  investigated,  vvhethc"  \i\  man  or  in 
the  highest  or  lowest  animals  and  plants — all  these  consid- 
erations must  bring  us  to  the  conviction  that  definite  funda- 
mental chemical  formations  and  changes  are  common  to  all 
living  beings,  and  that  the  life-processes  common  to  them  all, 
^especially  their  growth  through  formation  of  their  own  sub- 
stance and  their  propagation  without  limit  under  conditions 
peculiar  to  them,  must  be  formed  in  the  presence  of  those 
chemical  constituents ;  that  also  in  the  further  processes  of 
change,  often  appearing  so  different  in  the  different  classes, 
orders,  and  families  of  animals  and  plants,  many  processes 
can  take  place  according  to  a  conformable  fundamental  type; 
and  that  finally  in  the  life-processes  of  man  these  parallels 


10 


ON  THE   DEVELOPMENT   OF 


are  again  foundj  whose  simplest  manifestation  we,  perhaps, 
follow  with  the  least  difficulty  in  the  lowest  organisms. 

We  are  thus  brought  to  a  definite  unity  in  the  original 
chemical  structure  and  processes  of  living  existence,  a  point 
which  the  microscopico-anatomical  investigation  of  the  mor- 
phological development  has  already  reached.  The  chemical 
characters  are,  however,  much  more  within  our  ken  than  the 
microscopic,  since  the  latter  take  cognizance  of  the  simplest 
forms  of  existence,  as  plastic,  variable,  or  irregularly  formed 
little  masses. 

When  the  chemical  components  of  "the  cells  or  the  pro- 
toplasm, or  any  formed  organ  of  animals  or  plants,  is  spoken 
of,  it  is,  of  course,  to  be  observed  that  we  yet  have  no  right 
to  speak  of  the  constituents  of  living  cells,  but  only  of  the 
products  of  their  chemical  decomposition.  A  series  of  ob- 
servations of  different  kinds  points  in  the  direction  of  the 
conclusion  that  the  change  which  simple  protoplasm,  as 
well  as  complicated  organs,  undergoes  on  the  entrance  into 
the  death  state,  arises  from  the  chemical  addition  of  water. 
If  the  water  essential  for  all  life-processes  be  removed,  life 
is  indeed  suspended,  but  death  does  not,  in  consequence  of 
this  alone,  follow.  Plants,  insects,  amphibians  (e.  g.,  tritons), 
and  frogs  can  for  a  long  period  remain  hard  frozen ;  their 
life  is  thereby  fully  suspended ;  after  being  slowly  thawed 
out,  the  organs  take  on  again  all  their  life-functions.  The 
noses,  ears,  hands,  and  feet  of  men  act  similarly  when  frozen 
by  a  degree  of  cold  not  too  intense.  But  such  frozen  or- 
gans die  at  once  if  thawed  out  too  quickly,  inasmuch  as  the 
melting  ice-crystals  injure  the  cells  in  juxtaposition  to  them. 
Carefully  dried  seeds  of  plants — e.  g.,  peas — can  be  kept 
heated  for  hours  at  100°  C.  without  their  vitality  disappear- 
ing. They  sprout,  after  cooling,  when  placed  in  water  or 
moist  earth  just  as  quickly  as  undried  and  unheated  peas, 
and  develop  to  perfectly  healthy  plants.    If  the  seeds  are  not 


PHYSIOLOGICAL   CHEMISTRY.  H 

carefully  and  fully  dried  before  the  heating,  they  perish  un- 
ler  60  °C.  If  now,  from  these  and  many  other  experiences, 
it  is  to  be  concluded  that  the  death  of  protoplasm  arises  from 
assumption  of  water,  then  must  it  be  assumed  that  the  forms 
of  living  protOj^laoiii  conduct  themselves  in  respect  to  the  sub- 
stances found  in  the  dead  forms  of  the  same  as  anhydrides  do 
to  their  hydrides  or  decomposition  products^  unless  some  fur- 
ther insight  into  this  matter  is  forthcoming. 

In  the  most  recent  times  different  hypotheses  bearing 
on  the  chemical  structure  and  peculiarities  of  living  proto- 
plasms have  been  published ;  they  do  not,  however,  taken 
together,  agree  with  the  known  facts.  Their  mechanical 
and  chemical  behavior,  so  far  as  they  have  as  yet  been  in- 
vestigated, force  us  to  the  supposition  that  one  and  the  same 
protoplasm^  according  to  the  influences  which  from  without 
are  brought  to  bear  upon  it,  may  form  [darstellen^  two  en- 
tirely different  bodies — different  in  chemical  structure  and 
in  action  on  other  organic  substances  which  come  into  rela- 
tion with  the  same,  and  also  in  attraction  for  water. 

The  protoplasms  further  effect  chemical  changes  through 
which,  on  the  one  hand,  fermentative  decompositions,  and,  on 
the  other,  anhydrides,  are  formed.  Both  processes  stand  in 
such  decided  opposition  to  each  other  that  they  can  not 
proceed  at  the  same  time  from  one  and  the  same  substance. 
In  the  plants  and  animals  of  higher  organization  we  can 
ascribe  to  one  cell  the  one  function,  and  to  another  the 
other.  In  the  lowest  unicellular  organisms  this  is  not  possi- 
ble :  in  these,  both  processes  must  go  on  in  the  same  proto- 
plasm; they  form  albuminous  substances,  fats,  glycogen, 
or  cellulose,  and  such  like,  and  also  break  up  these  sub- 
stances. 

It  would  appear  that  it  is  observation  of  just  these 
lowest,  simplest  forms  of  life  that  enables  us  to  form  the 
clearest  conceptions.  • 


12 


ON   THE   DEVELOPMENT   OF 


Beer  yeast-cells  in  a  saccharine  fluid  change  grape-sugar 
into  alcohol  and  carbon  dioxide  in  the  complete  absence  of 
free  oxygen,  and  can  continue  these  processes  for  months 
without  either  growing  or  multiplying  themselves,  when, 
indeed,  the  food-supply  is  abundantly  present  and  the  tem- 
perature favorable.  According  to  certain  observers,  the 
yeast-cells  do  grow  and  multiply,  but  there  is  no  doubt  that 
it  must  he  admitted  that  growth  and  multiplication  are  in- 
significant. 

A  portion  of  the  same  yeact-cells,  brought  into  a  sac- 
charine fluid  in  the  presence  of  oxygen,  forms  little  or  no 
alcohol,  separates  some  carbon  dioxide,  with  absorption  of 
oxygen,  grows,  and,  moreover,  multiplies  abundantly  under 
similar  conditions  of  temperature  and  nourishment. 

The  bacteria  "f  decomposition  \Fdulnisshacterien\^ 
brought  into  watery  xtracts  of  flesh  in  the  presence  of  oxy- 
gen, decompose  albuii.  lous  matters,  creatin,  sugar,  and  lac- 
tic acid  into  leucin,  hydroparacumarsic  acid,  indol,  skatol, 
ammonia,  carbon  dioxide,  hydrogen,  and  sulphureted  hy- 
drogen. 

They  are  motionless  and  do  not  multiply ;  however,  the 
latter  is  denied  by  some  observers. 

The  same  bacteria,  under  precisely  similar  conditions 
but  with  oxygen  present,  form  no  hydrogen,  no  organic 
decomposition  products ;  only  carbon  dioxide,  water,  and 
ammonia ;  they  multiply  abundantly  and  are  in  lively 
motion. 

The  formation  of  anhydrides,  to  be  recognized  in  the 
growth  of  organisms  and  their  multiplication,  happens  either 
only,  in  the  main,  in  the  presence  of  oxygen,  or,  at  least, 
much  more  abundantly  than  without  it.  However,  oxygen 
can  neither  of  itself  form  anhydrides  nor  be  the  sole  cause 
of  the  movements  of  the  bacteria. 

Though  oxygen  is  of  itself  powerless  to  act  as  an  oxi 


t 


PHYSIOLOGICAL   CHEMISTRY.         ^  13 

dizer  in  such  cases,  yet,  in  the  presence  of  nascent  hydro- 
gen, it  does  possess  such  power ;  and  this  latter  is  always 
the  case  in  putrefactive  processes.  There  is  an  opinion, 
as  yet  very  widely  diffused,  that  these  lower  organisms 
comport  themselves  throughout  otherwise  than  the  higher 
plants  and  animals.  Differences  not  a  few  are  to  be  ob- 
served, but,  just  as  these  lower  organisms  contain  the 
same  substances  in  their  protoplasm  as  the  highest  (globulin 
substance,  lecithin,  cholesterin,  nuclein,  and  potassium)  so 
do  they  in  their  chemical  processes  show  a  remarkable  agree- 
ment in  the  fundamental  types.  If  we  suppose  (and  there 
is  no  fact  opposing  it)  that  also  in  the  highest  organisms 
indifferent  oxygen  in  the  same  manner  as  in  the  lowest  suc- 
ceeds in  oxidizing,  so  might  the  general  protoplasmic  phe- 
nomena in  plants  and  animals  be  thus  fornmlated  : 

Distinction  must  he  made  between  (1)  the  protoplasm  in- 
capable of  stimulation^  as  it  continues  to  be  in  the  absence  of 
oxygen,  acting  with  a  ferment-like  decomposing  power  on 
albuminous  matters  and  many  other  substances,  and  (2)  the 
protoplasm  capable  of  stimulation,  of  less  density  than  the 
first,  of  greater  capacity  for  attracting  water  and  not  inciting 
fermentation.  In  the  presence  of  water  the  second  is  changed 
into  the  first,  through  addition  of  the  elements  of  loater  in 
chemical  combination,  in  consequence  of  the  weaker  or  strong- 
er shocks  of  the  so-called  stimulation,  through  different  modes 
of  motion — electrical,  thermal,  chemical,  or  mechanical  mo- 
tion. The  first  protoplasm  is  again  changed  into  the  second 
BY"  THE  PRESENCE  OF  OXYGEN,  sincc,  by  the  decomposing  ac- 
tion of  the  first  protoplasm,  oxygen  is  rendered  active,  and 
through  the  active  oxygen  the  second  anhydrated  protoplasm 
arises.  If,  under  such  circumstances,  substances  present  them- 
selves which  can  be  easily  anhydrated,  they  pass  over  into 
anhydrides.  The  anhydride  formation  happens,  accordingly, 
through  the  reformation  of  anhydride  protoplasm  in  conse- 


14 


ON  THE  DEVELOPMENT   OF 


If 
It 


quence  of  the  influence  of  active  oxygen  on  the  protoplasm 
with  ferment-like  action. 

It  would  lead  too  far  into  details  to  demonstrate  the 
agreement  of  these  hypotheses  with  all  the  results  of  ob- 
servation on  them  in  the  entire  realm  of  the  orgaiJc  world 
which  they  include.  Let  it  suffice  to  choose  from  very  dif- 
ferent classes  of  organisms  individual  representatives,  and 
demonstrate  their  agreement. 

What  I  have  already  said  of  beer  yeast-cells  and  bac- 
teria is  in  unison  with  the  hypotheses,  so  I  will  not  re- 
peat. 

The  muscles  of  men  and  vertebrates,  through  stimula- 
tion, change  in  density,  break  up  glycogen,  and  form  lactic 
acid ;  the  latter  is,  however,  in  the  presence  of  oxygen,  oxi- 
dized ;  carbon  dioxide  and  water  are  formed  in  the  propor- 
tion the  carbohydrates  furnish,  and  in  correspondence  with 
the  strength  and  duration  of  the  stimulation.  The  change 
into  the  stimulated  condition  follows  also  in  the  absence  of 
oxygen.  The  removal  of  oxygen  calls  into  existence  last- 
ing tetanus  (poisoning  by  hydrocyanic  acid,  rapid  death  by 
bleeding,  hanging,  etc.).  On  the  other  hand,  under  normal 
presence  of  oxygen,  in  order  to  maintain  a  stimulated  con- 
dition in  some  measure  lasting,  continuous  repetition  of  the 
stimulus  is  necessary,  since  the  active  oxygen  at  once  forms 
the  anhydrated  protoplasm. 

In  glands,  in  consequence  of  stimulation,  a  secretion  of 
a  watery  fluid  follows,  which  can  have  only  chemical,  not 
physical,  causes,  in  that  it  is  independent  of  the  blood- 
pressure,  and  the  fluid  secreted  does  not  contain  those  salts 
which,  in  all  the  transudations,  pass  over  from  the  blood  in 
definite  proportions. 

With  this  secretion  abundant  formation  of  carbon  di- 
oxide and  of  warmth  takes  place  at  the  same  time.  Very 
clearly  were  these  conditions  observed  in  the  secretions  of 


i 


PHYSIOLOGICAL  CHEMISTRY.  15 

the  insect-eating  plants,  as  so  admirably  described  by 
Charles  Darwin. 

Mechanical  phenomena  of  motion  \^Bewegungserschei- 
nungen]  in  plants,  especially  the  remarkable  movements  of 
the  petioles  of  Mimosa  pudica,  are  of  the  same  nature  as 
the  secretion  of  water  from  protoplasm,  in  consequence  of 
the  stimulation  already  mentioned.  That  the  vacuole  for- 
mation in  numerous  protoplasms,  also  in  the  Amoeba  itself, 
arises  from  a  similar  secretion  of  watery  solution  from  the 
protoplasm  in  consequence  of  stimulation,  is  highly  proba- 
ble. The  mechanical  movements  of  Amoeba,  etc.,  toward 
A  the  point  of  stimulation  is  explicable  only  through  these 

hypotheses. 

Numerous  and  very  different  in  kind  are  the  observa- 
tions on  higher,  especially  warm-blooded  animals,  which 
have  afforded  the  demonstration  that  with  the  prevention 
of  the  access  of  oxygen  to  the  organs  the  stimulative  ca- 
pacity sinks,  while,  in  consequence  of  this  hindrance,  the 
extent  of  the  decomposition  of  tissue  and  of  chemical  in- 
terchange rises. 

When  a  stream  of  blood  containing  oxygen  is  conducted 
through  the  living  kidneys,  the  union  of  glycocoll  and  ben- 
zoic acid  which  takes  place  has  been  shown  to  be  an  anhy- 
drating  process.  The  opposite  process,  however — viz. :  the 
splitting  up  of  hippuric  acid  and  similar  compounds  under 
addition  of  water  in  the  living  organs — is  observed. 

Presumably  the  last  process  takes  place  also  without 
the  presence  of  oxygen,  and  can  be  effected  in  the  proto- 
plasm incapable  of  stimulation. 

Let  these  Intimations  suffice  to  indicate  how  in  one 
realm  of  physiological  chemistry — and  that  the  largest — 
results  unite  to  induce  further  investigation  of  problems 
becoming  ever  more  comprehensive ;  and  how,  further^ 
all  living  beings,  of  form  and  life-phenomena  the  most  widely 


16 


ON  THE   DEVELOPMENT  OP 


different,  appear  to  owe  their  fundamental  structure  to  an 
original  chemical  orffanization,  u)ith  properties  common  to 
them  all. 

In  the  preface  to  his  "  Animal  Chemistry,"  Liebig,  in 
1842,  said:  "The  new  chemistry  has,  with  all  its  discover- 
ies, furnished  only  insignificant  service  to  physiology  and 
pathology,  and  no  one  can  deceive  himself  as  to  the  causes 
of  this  failure  who  takes  into  consideration  that  all  the 
methods  introduced  into  the  realm  of  inorganic  chemistry, 
the  knowledge  of  the  behavior  of  the  simple  bodies,  and 
the  compounds  that  might  be  made  in  the  laboratory,  could 
be  brought  into  no  sort  of  relation  with  the  living  animal 
body  and  the  character  of  its  components."  Since  that  time 
this  has  been  changed ;  but  it  would  be  vain  to  reckon  on  a 
further  advance  in  physiology  from  the  side  of  the  chemist 
when  the  questions  of  biology  lie  so  very  far  away  from 
him  —  questions  whose  answers  bring  for  the  theoretical 
chemist  but  very  little  profit.  While  theoretical  chemistry 
and  chemical  technique  are  closely  linked  with  one  another 
— while  the  one  derives  great  advantage  from  the  other — 
the  relation  to  physiology  and  to  the  whole  of  medicine  is 
entirely  different.  But  even  the  technique  has  found  it 
necessary  to  take  the  solution  of  certain  problems  in  hand, 
with  what  good  or  ill  luck  might  follow. 

For  the  chemical  manufacture  of  dye-stuffs,  for  the 
sugar  industry,  for  beer  and  brandy  manufacture,  there  now 
exist  special,  and  in  part  excellently  directed,  laboratories, 
in  which  for  special  objects  these  branches  are  practiced  and 
partially  taught.  In  all  civilized  countries  there  are  now 
laboratories  for  the  objects  of  agriculture.  Physiological 
and  pathological  chemical  laboratories  have  also  been  estab- 
lished, but,  with  very  few  exceptions,  they  have  restricted 
means  and  no  independence.  The  importance  of  chemistry 
for  the  development  of  physiology  and  pathology  did  not 


t 


rilYSIOLOGICAL  CHEMISTRY.  17 

escape  Virchow's  sharp  ken.  He  establislied  in  1856  the 
first  better-endowed  and  tolerably  independent  laboratory  in 
his  new  pathologicalinstitute  in  Berlin.  In  Munich,  through 
Liebig's  influence,  a  series  of  diligent  researches  was  made 
on  food  and  nutrition  [^Erndhrung  und  Stojfwechsel].  In 
Tubingen  the  laboratory  for  applied  chemistry  was  restricted 
almost  exclusively  to  the  subject  of  medical  chcmi<=try.  Sev- 
eral of  the  ablest  physiologists,  such  as  Briicke  and  Pfliiger, 
applied  themselves  with  lively  interest  to  the  solution  of  the 
problems  of  physiological  chemistry,  and  encouraged  and 
advanced  this  science. 

In  the  Physiological  Institute  of  the  Berlin  University, 
opened  a  few  years  ago,  there  is  a  suitable  laboratory  for 
physiological  chemistry,  which  has  already  done  good  ser- 
vice alike  to  teaching  and  to  science. 

Though,  after  the  example  of  Frerichs,  several  clinicists 
fostered  physiological  and  pathological  chemical  investiga- 
tion, yet  in  most  German  universities  the  chemistry  of  physi- 
ology has  not  received  the  consideration  and  advancement 
it  deserves. 

It  can  be  said  in  praise  of  the  physicians  of  all  times, 
and  not  in  small  n ambers  of  those  of  the  last  ten  years, 
that  they,  with  much  attention  for  the  objects  of  the 
diagnosis  and  treatment  of  disease,  sought  to  apply  what 
science  and  the  technique  supplied.  Astonishing  nmst  it  be 
then,  that  the  great  majority  of  the  physicians  in  the  most 
recent  times  felt  coldly  enough  over  the  advance  of  chem- 
istry in  general — much  more  so  than  was  the  case  at  an  ear- 
lier period,  and  that  within  my  recollection — while  a  small 
minority  kept  their  eyes  fixed  on  it  with  great  interest. 

One  or  another  will  perhaps  say  that  these  advances 
may  be  of  really  great  significance  for  the  science  of  medi- 
cine, but  of  little  applicability  to  the  practice  of  medicine. 
With   regard  to  numerous  results  of  the  anatomical  and 


18 


ON   THE   DEVELOPMENT   OF 


physico-physiological  investigations,  and  such  as  have  been 
spoken  of  above  by  myself,  bearing  on  tlie  cliemical  behavior 
of  living  cells  in  general,  it  is  not  to  be  expected  that  they 
should  have  a  direct  bearing  on  practice.  But  quite  differ- 
ent is  it  with  very  many  results  of  the  most  recent  investi- 
gations of  physiological  chemistry.  So  can  T  not  under- 
stand how  at  the  present  day  a  physician  can  recognize, 
follow  in  their  course,  and  suitably  treat,  diseases  of  the 
stomach  and  alimentary  canal,  of  the  blood  formation  and 
decomposition,  of  the  liver,  kidneys,  and  urinary  passages, 
and  the  different  forms  of  poisoning — how  he  can  suitably 
regulate  the  diet  in  these  and  in  constitutional  diseases — 
without  the  knowledge  of  the  methods  of  physiological 
chemistry  and  of  its  decisions  on  questions  offering  them- 
selves for  solution,  and  without  practical  training  in  their 
application. 

Is  it  possible  we  must  conclude  that  there  is  an  over- 
burdening of  the  medical  student  while  following  out  the 
curriculum,  and  that  this  is  the  cause  of  the  insufficient  at- 
tention in  general  paid  to  the  chemical  problems  of  medi- 
cine ? 

I  am  far  from  denying  an  overburdening ;  it  exists,  in 
fact,  in  high  degree,  and  the  lengthening  of  the  term  of 
study  (one  semester)  now  in  force  does  not  suffice  to  obvi- 
ate it.  This  overburdening,  however,  is  not  the  only  cause, 
nor  is  it  distributed  uniformly  over  the  different  depart- 
ments of  study. 

The  principal  cause  of  this  unsym metrical  distribution 
lies  in  the  form  which  the  medical  curriculum  has  taken  in 
the  last  ten  years.  The  really  valuable  results  in  the  great  field 
of  normal  and  pathological  investigation  which  have  been 
achieved  through  the  improved  microscopes  of  the  last  four 
decades ;  the  triumphant  victory  won  by  the  microscope  for 
pathology  in  the  direction  of  pathological  anatomy  over  the 


% 


PHYSIOLOGICAL  OHEMISTUV 


I!) 


i 


earlier  prevailinj^  but  iiisuflieiently  groinided  philosophical 
physiolojxy  ;  the  insight  into  the  significance  of  the  lowest 
fungi,  also  achieved  through  the  microscope — have  in  medi- 
cine lent  to  the  anatomical  method  of  demonstration  and 
investigation  undue  weight,  which,  at  first  useful  in  explana- 
tion of  obscuriti'^s,  becanie  gradually  more  and  more  press- 
ing, even  crushing,  on  the  reuuiining  branches  of  the  medi- 
cal curriculum. 

The  skeptical  fanaticism  of  the  injudicious  champions  of 
the  Vienna  school,  which  sought  to  rob  the  physician  of  all 
belief  in  tradition,  has  also  in  its  after-working  exerted  a 
paralyzing  influence  on  chemical  and  therapeutical  efforts. 
Amid  this  sea  of  doubts  the  anatomical  facts  appeared  to 
be  the  only  thing  that  remained  firm.  On  this  was  joined 
the  transformed  but  very  meager  pathology.  For  inde- 
pendent clinicists  this  state  of  things  could  not  suffice ;  the 
sterility  ensuing  through  this  sovereignty  of  morphology 
could  not  remain  hidden  from  the  penetrating.  Manychmg 
with  lively  interest  to  the  means  which  the  researches  on 
nutrition  \^S tojf'wechsel]  furnished  for  the  solution  of  clini- 
cal problems.  But  insight  into  the  hidden  springs  and  pro- 
cesses of  life  remained  veiled.  That  they  are  chemical  pro- 
cesses we  know  right  well,  but  their  solution  requires  the 
most  painstaking  work.  We  trust  well  to  the  certain  funda- 
mentals of  chemical  investigation  ;  but  only  slowly,  and  con- 
tending against  the  most  diverse  hindrances,  can  we  pene- 
trate into  the  fine  machinery  which  in  healthy  and  in 
diseased  beings  determines  life  \das  Leben  ausmacht].  On 
other  than  chemical  paths  do  we  not  advance.  Who  will 
deny  that  ? 

We  should  not  object  that  pathological  investigation 
and  not  the  physician's  practice  has  to  do  with  this.  Every 
observing  physician  must  admit  that  in  this  relation  there 
exists  no  difference. 


'F 


20   TIIK    I)KVKF,(»PMKNT   ()V   PHYSIOLOGICAL   CIIKMISTKV. 

The  conmiLTcial  pliysicijin  [<fer  iirztliche  (re.sch<i/tsniann\ 
alone  can  content  liiinsdf  with  luerv  patterns;  for  the  trne 
physician  every  gennine  case  does  and  mnst  furnish  a  special 
study. 

A  short  time  ago  one  of  the  most  active  clinicists,* 
Leube,  raised  a  vvarninjjj  voice  a«!;ainst  the  underestimation 
of  chemistry  for  medicine.  That  to  it  the  future  of  the 
science  of  medicine  beloiu/ti  can  with  certainty  he  discerned. 

After  what  has  been  said,  there  remains  no  doubt  as  to 
the  aims  which  the  erection  of  this  spacious  new  structure 
leads  us  to  strive  to  achieve.  It  shall  be  a  place  for  the 
practice  atid  study  of  physiolooical  chemistry  in  every  direc- 
tion bearinjij  on  medical  science  The  i>reat  value  which  in 
recent  ti.nes,  certainly  rightly,  is  attributed  to  hygiene  and 
the  very  numerous  necessary  relations  which  this  reahn  of 
investigation  and  teaching  have  in  common  with  physiologi- 
cal chemistry,  cause  it  the  more  fitly  to  appear  that,  for  its 
practical  study,  space  and  arrangement  should  be  made  in 
this  institute,  as  in  great  part  the  subjects  not  Avholly  mi- 
croscopic or  technical  belong  also  to  physiologi'^al  chem- 
istry, and  so  can  never  be  better  managed  than  in  an  insti- 
tute set  apart  for  the  latter  science.  To  avoid  collision  in 
instruction,  separate  rooms  for  work  in  physiological  chem- 
istry and  in  hygiene  are  provided. 

*  W.  Leube,  "  On  the  Sij;nificance  of  Chemistry  in  Medicine,"  Ber- 
lin, 1884. 


\ 


\ 


\ 


The  lew  York  Medical  Journal, 

A  WEEKLY  REVIEW  OF  MEDICINE. 


PoBLIsnED  BY 

0.  Appleton  &  Co. 


EOITKP  BT 

Frank  P.  Foster, 

M.D. 


The  ^bw  York  MfenroAL  JotniiTAi.,  now  in  tho  twentieth  ycnr  of  it* 
publication,  is  published  every  Saturday,  each  number  containing  twcntv- 
ei<?ht  larjio,  doublo-oolutnned  pages  of  reading-matter.  By  renson  of  tno 
condensed  form  in  which  the  matter  is  arranged,  it  contains  more  ronding- 
mattcr  than  any  other  journal  of  ita  class  in  the  United  States.  It  i:«  also 
more  tVeely  illustrated,  and  its  illustrations  aio  generally  bettor  executed, 
than  is  the  case  with  other  weekly  journals. 

It  has  a  largo  circulation  in  all  parts  of  tho  country,  and,  since  the  pub- 
lishers invariably  follow  tho  jiolioy  of  declining  to  furnish  tho  Jouknal  to 
subscribers  wlio  foil  to  remit  in  due  time,  its  circulation  is  honajide.  It  is 
largely  on  this  account  that  it  is  enabled  to  obtain  a  high  class  of  contrib- 
uted articles,  for  authors  know  that  through  its  columns  they  address  tho 
better  part  of  the  profession ;  a  consideration  which  has  not  osoapod  tho 
notice  of  advertisorSf  as  shown  by  its  increasing  advertising  patronage. 

Tho  special  departments  of  the  Jouhnal  are  as  follows : 

LEOTtTRES.— The  frequent  publication  of  material  of  this  sort  in  a  prominent  fea- 
ture, and  palna  are  token  to  ciiooso  such  as  will  prove  valnablo  to  tlio  reader. 

ORIGINAL  COMMUNICATIONS.— In  accepting  arHcles  of  that  olans,  '^gard  is 
had  more  partionlarly  to  the  wants  of  the  general  practitioner,  aviil  all  the 
special  branches  of  medicine  are  duly  represented, 

BOOK  NOTICES.— Current  publlcaMons  are  noticed  in  a  spirit  of  bimess,  and  vith 
the  sole  view  of  giving  information  to  the  reader. 

CLINICAL  BEPOItTS  are  also  a  regular  feature  of  the  Journal,  embracing  clinlcai 
records  from  the  various  hospitals  nnd  clinics,  not  only  of  Now  York,  but  of 
various  other  cities,  together  with  clinical  contrlbations  tW>m  private  practice. 

EDITORIAL  ARTICLES  aro  numerous  and  carefully  written,  and  we  am  able  to 
give  timely  consideration  to  passing  events. 

MINOR  PARAGRAPHS.— Under  this  beading  are  given  short  comments  and 
notes  on  passing  events. 

NEWS  ITEMS  contain  the  latest  news  of  interest  to  the  profession. 

OBITUARY'  NOTKS  announce  the  death's  which  occur  in  the  ranks  of  the  profes- 
sion,  with  a  brief  history  of  each  individual  when  practicable. 

SOCIETY  PROCEEDINGS  are  given  promptly,  and  tboso  of  a  great  number  of 
societies  figure.  At  the  samo  time  wo  select  for  publication  only  such  as  we 
think  proflrable  to  our  readers. 

REPORTS  ON  THE  PROGRHISS  OF  MEDICINE  constitnto  a  feature  of  the 
Journal  which  we  havo  reason  to  think  is  highly  valued  by  our  readers. 

MISCI<2LLANY  includes  matter  of  general  Interest,  and  space  is  also  given  for 

NEW  INVENTIONS  and  LETTERS  TO  THE  EDITOR. 

As  a  whole,  wo  orvt  warranted  in  saying  that  tho  Nbw  York  Medical 
Journal  is  regarded  with  tho  highest  favor  by  its  readers  and  by  its  con» 
temporaries. 

Subscription  price,  $6.00  per  annum. 


^ 


